Celebrations and ritual ceremonies are directly
linked to the various societies of the Ibibio. For
instance, the ekpo society plays an important
role in political, legislative and religious life of a
village. They have two basic masks; one for
wandering spirits, and another of spirits who
have reached paradise. The Eket, a sub-group of
the Ibibio, make polychrome panel-masks for
use in different rituals. To express abstract
qualities or represent spirits is at the heart of the
mask's function; and in this handsome mask, we
see the polychrome technique put to graphic use.
Against a background of purple-brown, the
black and white eyes stand out very dramatically.
The upper lip painted black juts outwards to
reveal a fine row of large teeth above a
protruding tongue. Nostrils of the nose flair
widely as if taking deep breaths. Yellow on the
cheeks have the effect of making the eyes seem
even more vivid. The face stares at us with
wonderment and excitement, as if a spirit has
come from the land of dreams to the real world
and likes what he sees! - (PF.4837)